Yoshihiro Akiyama is a Korean-Japanese mixed martial arts veteran who was one of the biggest stars of the Netflix hit ‘Physical: 100’.
Akiyama recently stated that he wants to make an incredible return to the ONE Championship cage, which may happen in South Korea.
The 48-year-old received the loudest cheers from the audience when he was shown sitting ringside at ONE event at Singapore Indoor Stadium last Saturday. Before the start of the event’s main card, he conducted an official meet & greet with fans where he posed for photos and signed autographs.
Akiyama had a brief conversation with ONE chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong after the broadcast.
Akiyama said: “I was able to catch up with Chatri in Singapore. Let’s bring this greatest show to Korea soon! Chatri told me to become ONE world champion. I will keep doing my best. Age is just a number! Let’s go!”
Afterwards, The Post met up with Chatri backstage at Singapore Indoor Stadium. He revealed that he intends to take his promotion to South Korea this year for the first time. He also said that Akiyama would be a strong contender.
Chatri said: “Yes, he wants to fight again for sure, he’s ready to go. We were talking about potential opponents today, so there are big plans, and I still want to do a Korea event.”
“This is something I really want to do, and I want to do it this year. I can tell you that if a few of our big discussions going on right now are conclusive, then we will throw a big Korea event. But it’s definitely in the plans.”
Akiyama has no intentions to retire anytime soon.
“I’m 48 now and I want to compete at least until the age of 50. I think I want to fight once this year, but I guess there may be an event in South Korea so I’m going to focus on that. There has been no confirmation of anything yet though.”